JP2746123B2 - Gateway system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gateway system and, more particularly, to a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LA).
N), and a gateway system capable of automatic login between a plurality of host computers connected above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this kind of gateway system has
It is used as a means for accessing a plurality of servers in a client-server system. However, there are few large-scale systems that require multiple servers, and when using another host computer, the user must provide an automatic connection function (remote login) from the user terminal to another host computer each time. It is necessary to input login information such as a user ID after making a connection by using this.

The following two specific processing procedures are known.

[0004] One is shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the user once terminates the task of the host computer that is currently performing processing, and then calls another host computer serving as a gateway by using a remote login command. Then, the user inputs login information such as a user ID at the gateway, logs in to the host computer at the gateway, and executes business processing at the host computer at the gateway.

The second example is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this processing procedure, once the task of the host computer that is currently performing the processing is once terminated, the connection with this host computer is cut off to log out. Then, by connecting to another host computer serving as a gateway destination, the user inputs login information again, inputs login information such as a user ID at the gateway destination, and then executes the business process at the host computer at the gateway destination.

[0006]

However, in the above-described gateway system, when performing a plurality of business processes across a plurality of host computers, a user needs to log in to another host computer. Each time the user must enter login information, the operation of the system becomes complicated, and the burden on the user is great.

[0007] The present invention provides a gateway which enables automatic log-in between a plurality of host computers so that a user does not need to be aware of the host computer at the gateway even when cooperating with a plurality of host computers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system to prevent an erroneous operation at the time of gateway processing to another host computer and reduce a load on a user.

[0008]

The gateway system of the present invention is a gateway system in which a plurality of host computers and a plurality of user terminals are connected via a local area network (LAN). When the business process instructed from the user terminal can be processed by the host computer, a business processing unit that performs the business process and a business process that can be processed by any of the plurality of host computers are used. Menu creation means for creating a job menu for selection from a user terminal, a parameter file storing information for automatically connecting to another host computer, and a communication management file storing address information of the other host computer. The business process specified by the user terminal is Gateway computer that obtains information for automatically connecting to the other host computer from the parameter file when it cannot be processed by the host computer, and obtains address information of the other host computer from the communication management file, The gateway means is started when the information for automatically connecting to the other host computer and the address information of the other host computer are acquired, and the gateway is activated based on the information for automatic connection and the address information. And a communication management means for automatically connecting to the host computer.

[0009]

[Function] First, create a business menu as an environment setting,
It is necessary to set the parameter file and communication management file. This environment setting will be described later.

[0010] In the state where the environment setting is completed, when the user connects from the user terminal to the host computer which is performing his / her main work, the communication management means of this host computer is activated and the user ID is transmitted from the user terminal. Is entered.

It is checked whether the user ID and the password have been correctly entered. If the user ID and the password are not correct, the process is terminated. If the user ID and the password are correct, a task menu as shown in FIG. To select.

In the case where the selected task is a task to be processed by the current host computer (for example, when the e-mail in FIG. 4 is selected), the task is immediately executed by the task processing means of the host computer and then executed next. If there is no job, end the process. If there is still, return to the job menu,
Execute the newly selected business process.

On the other hand, if the selected task is a task that is not processed by the current host computer (for example, if the database in FIG. 4 is selected), the gateway means is started. The gateway unit 12 refers to the contents of the parameter file and obtains information on the host computer at the gateway that executes the task. Communication management means 13
Obtains the address information of the connection destination from the communication management file and connects to the host computer of the gateway.
After the connection, the user ID and password are automatically issued from the contents of the parameter file, and the relevant task (in this case, database task) is processed by the task processing means of the gateway host computer via the communication management means of the gateway host computer. Is done.

When the business process is completed, the control is returned from the gateway host computer to the original host computer. If there is no next business to be performed, the process ends.
If there is still, the process returns to the job menu to execute the newly selected job process.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present invention, in which a plurality of host computers and a plurality of user terminals are connected on a local area network (LAN) 3.

Each of the plurality of host computers includes:
A business processing unit 11 for performing business processing of the host computer in accordance with an instruction from the user terminal via the LAN 3;
Menu creating means 14 for creating a business process that can be processed by a plurality of host computers on the LAN 3 as a business menu and incorporating it into all the host computers; a parameter file 15 storing parameters for connecting to a host computer at the gateway; This parameter file 15 is set, and the set parameter file 15
Gateway means 1 which determines the host computer at the gateway destination based on the content of
2, a communication management file 16 storing information necessary for connection with the host computer at the gateway, and a communication management file 16 set by setting the communication management file 16 and being activated by the gateway unit 12. And a communication management means 13 for automatically connecting to a gateway destination host computer based on the contents of the host computer.
6.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a business process menu of each host computer. In the following, a specific example of executing the task menu by switching the host computer while distributing the task processing to a plurality of hosts on the LAN and distributing the load will be described using the task illustrated in FIG. 4 as an example.

FIG. 4 shows a specific example of a business menu in which an in-house OA system such as an electronic mail or an electronic bulletin board using a LAN in a building and a database search system are integrated to form an information utilization system. Normally, users exchange information with other users and obtain information using electronic mail or electronic bulletin boards.
It is assumed that the system A is used and these tasks are processed by the host computer 1. However, it is assumed that another host computer 2 performs the processing for searching an external database such as document information and newspaper information.

In such a case, it is necessary to move from the host computer currently in use to another host computer and perform a business process. A gateway for automating a gateway process between the host computers is included in a business menu of the OA system. Means 12 and parameter file 15
The user (operator) can automatically connect to the host computer and perform the actual business processing without disconnecting the host computer that the user is using by incorporating the Continuous operation of a system that spans multiple host computers can be performed without being aware of it.

When items 1 to 4 are selected in the job menu shown in FIG. 4, job processing is executed by the host computer 1, but when item 10 is selected, the process is automatically switched to the host computer 2. Host computer 2
The business process is executed.

In order to implement such an automatic gateway between a plurality of host computers, it is necessary to set the system environment in advance as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing for setting the environment according to the present invention.

The environment setting of the present invention performed in advance will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the menu creation means 14 is started from the user terminal 4, and the parameters of the business to be incorporated in the menu are set. Although the setting method of these parameters differs depending on the system, in this embodiment, a menu management file as shown in FIG. 6 is created, and the display position (left and right, number of lines) on the screen, the menu number which is a menu item, Startup program name and parameters required at program startup. Here, when a database having a menu number of 10 is selected in the business menu, a program called “GATEWAY” is started as a start program, and a parameter file name “FIL” is used as a parameter.
E1 "is designated.

When the setting of the menu management file is completed, the incorporation into the business menu is completed.

Next, the gateway unit 12 is activated to create the parameter file 14 for the gateway between the host computers.

As the parameter file 14, FIL
A specific example of E1 is shown in FIG. 7 and will be described below.

(A) The name of the host computer at the gateway to be connected is specified. The host computer name must be set on a communication management file 16 described later. Note that the host computer at the gateway can be changed for each user, and a user individual file (FILE2) of (i) described later.
Follow the settings in

(B) The following line indicates that the command is an automatic login command description.

(C) Indicates that the processing is stopped for 3 seconds.

(D) Indicates the timeout period of the CASE statement. (The CASE statement is described in (f).) (E) Indicates that the processing up to END: is repeated seven times.

(F) A character string ENTER surrounded by ""
When the USER ID appears, it indicates that the processing of the next line is to be performed.

(G) Indicates that a forced exit from the FOR statement is performed.

(H) Indicates the end of the FOR statement.

(I) Indicates that the user individual file name in which the description for automatically transferring the user ID, the password, and the activation system is FILE2. This FIL
E2 will be described later with reference to FIG.

(J) The transmission of the character string $ n enclosed by "" is indicated.

FIG. 8 shows a user individual file (FILE)
This is a specific example of 2), which is composed of a destination host name, a user ID, a password, a startup program name, and parameters, and each of them will be described below.

Destination host name: Specifies the host name of the gateway destination. If omitted, the parameter file (FILE)
This is the host computer name specified in 1).

User ID: Describes a user ID for automatically issuing a password and a startup program. If a user ID not described here is input, a password and a startup program are not automatically issued, and must be manually input.

Password: A password corresponding to the user ID is described. If you write &, the password must be entered manually. However, in order to improve the security of the system, it is preferable to input only the password again.

Startup program name: Describes the name of the program that starts up first after connecting to the host computer at the gateway destination. If parameters are required, describe them in the parameter column.

Finally, the communication management means 13 is activated to
Of the communication management file 16 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the communication management file 16
Is composed of self / other, host name / terminal name and address, and each will be described below.

Own / other: own host computer (or terminal) or other host computer (or terminal)
Is described.

Host name / terminal name: The host computer name (or terminal name) is uniquely described.

Address: The address of each host computer (or terminal) is described. The address is usually required for a communication program and is defined by international standards.

The communication management file 16 is necessary for all host computers and use terminals connected to the LAN.

The description of the processing required for setting the environment is completed.

Next, the processing operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the user connects from the user terminal 4 to the host computer 1 performing his / her main task (step 10-1).

At this time, the communication management means 13 of the host computer 1 is activated, and a user ID and a password are input from the user terminal 4 (step 10-2).

It is checked whether the user ID and the password have been correctly entered (step 10-3). If the user ID and the password are not correct, the process is terminated as it is. If the user ID and the password are correct, a business menu as shown in FIG. The user selects a task to be executed (step 10-4).

If the selected task is a task to be processed by the host computer 1 (for example, if the e-mail shown in FIG. 4 is selected), it is immediately executed by the task processing means 11 of the host computer 1 (step 10). -5, 10
-6) If there is no job to be performed next, the process is terminated. If there is still another job, the process returns to the job menu and the newly selected job process is executed (step 10-9).

On the other hand, if the selected task is a task not processed by the host computer 1 (for example, if the database in FIG. 4 is selected), the gateway means 12 of the host computer 1 is activated and the parameter file 15
With reference to the contents of the above, the information of the host computer of the gateway that executes the relevant task is obtained, the address information of the connection destination is obtained from the communication management file 16, and the host computer 2 of the gateway is obtained via the communication management means 13. (Steps 10-5 and 10-7).

After the connection, a user ID and a password are automatically issued from the contents of the parameter file 15, and the relevant business (database business in this case) is performed by the business processing means 11 of the host computer 2 via the communication management means 13 of the host computer 2. Is processed (step 10-8). When the job processing is completed, the control is returned from the host computer 2 at the gateway to the original host computer 1. If there is no next task to be performed, the processing is terminated. The executed business process is executed (step 10-9).

The embodiment described above is for a case where different tasks are performed by a plurality of host computers. However, it is needless to say that the same task can be applied to a case where the same tasks are distributed to a plurality of host computers. In this case, the gateway program is not directly incorporated into the business menu, but directly into the business program.

[0058]

As described above, the present invention does not require the user to be aware of the host computer at the gateway destination even when cooperating between a plurality of host computers, and the automatic operation between the plurality of host computers is possible. Login becomes possible, and the load on the user can be reduced. In addition, there is an effect of preventing an erroneous operation during gateway processing to another host computer. Even when the host computer that processes the business changes, the operability of the system is improved because there is no need to disconnect and reconnect to the LAN.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart of a gateway system when accessing a plurality of servers in a conventional client-server system.

FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart of a gateway system when accessing a plurality of servers in a conventional client-server system.

FIG. 4 is an example of a business operation menu.

FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart for setting an environment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a specific example of a menu management file.

FIG. 7 is a specific example of a parameter file (FILE1).

FIG. 8 is a specific example of a parameter file (FILE2).

FIG. 9 is a specific example of a communication management file.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an operation process according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Host computer 3 Local area network 4 User terminal 11 Business processing means 12 Gateway means 13 Communication management means 14 Menu creation means 15 Parameter file 16 Communication management file

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] In a gateway system in which a plurality of host computers and a plurality of user terminals are connected via a local area network (LAN), each of the plurality of host computers is instructed by the user terminal A business processing means for performing the business processing when the business processing can be processed by the host computer; and a business menu for selecting a business processing that can be processed by any of the plurality of host computers from the user terminal. Menu creation means, a parameter file storing information for automatically connecting to another host computer, a communication management file storing address information of the other host computer, and a business process instructed from the user terminal Is not available on the host computer, Gateway means for acquiring information for automatically connecting to the other host computer from the parameter file, and acquiring address information of the other host computer from the communication management file; and Communication that is started when information for automatic connection and address information of the other host computer are acquired, and performs automatic connection to the other host computer based on the information for automatic connection and the address information. A gateway system comprising management means. 2. The environment setting performed in advance in the gateway system according to claim 1, wherein the environment setting includes creating a business menu by activating the menu creation means from the user terminal and activating the gateway means. The task management file includes a parameter file to be created and a communication management file to be created by activating the communication management means. The parameter file created by creating the parameter file is composed of at least the name of the host computer to which the gateway is to be connected, and the gateway destination host. Name and User I
D, a password, a start-up program name, and a user individual file of the host computer at the gateway including the parameter information. The communication management file set in the communication management file creation includes the host computer or the user terminal. A gateway system comprising: information indicating the name of the host; host name / terminal name information uniquely describing a host computer name or a terminal name; and address information. 3. The gateway system according to claim 1, wherein the gateway system is applied to a distributed processing system in which the plurality of host computers share the same business processing.